China extends its reach

摘要

The debut of the 12bn m~3/yr Myanmar (Burma)-China gas pipeline heralds the realisation of a new strategic direction in Beijing’s energy security policy, reinforcing its geopolitical reach. China’s state-owned CNPC officially commissioned the $2bn, 790km pipeline on 28 July. Initial volumes will be well below capacity as the Bay of Bengal’s Shwe fields, operated by South Korean firm Daewoo, can only supply 4bn m~3/yr, while CNPC affiliate PetroChina is still rolling out infrastructure in southwest China to utilise the gas (WPA, 26 April, p7).